Savannah getting largest Kroger in Georgia

Savannah Morning News

Monday

Mar 31, 2014 at 6:12 PM

We'll be bringing you an early look at the new store on Tuesday and Wednesday, but here's a sneak peek of what you'll see in our sneak peak:

The new Kroger Marketplace® on Mall Boulevard in Florence Square will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting, Wednesday, April 2, at 10 a.m. The new store - which is estimated to bring approximately 267 new jobs to the community - will offer customers more than 97,622 square feet of merchandise. It is the largest Kroger in Georgia and the first Kroger Marketplace® in Savannah.

"Kroger has served the Savannah area for more than 37 years," says Glynn Jenkins, director of communications and public relations for Kroger's Atlanta Division. "We are incredibly excited to bring this amazing store to the community and provide our customers with an even better shopping experience."

Kroger Marketplace® is a one-stop destination for home fashion and décor, bed and bath, kitchen and small appliances, home office and toys - in addition to traditional fresh food and groceries. The store will also include an apparel department, offering name brand products like Levi's, Sketchers and more. The new store will feature a number of upscale elements, including:

* Natures Market with a Vitamin Shop

* Upscale Deli

* Fred Meyers Jewelry

* Drive Thru Pharmacy

* Fuel Center

* Expanded Kosher Selections

* Floral Shop

* Starbucks

* Baby World

* Murray's Cheese

Savannah native and long-time Kroger employee David Pelfrey has accepted the position of Unit Manager for the store. Pelfrey began his career with Kroger in 1984 at the original Mall Boulevard store and eventually moved on to serve in multiple leadership positions for Kroger in other communities. Returning to Savannah to lead the Kroger Marketplace® signals a special homecoming for Pelfrey.

"After 30 years of service to Kroger, I am truly overwhelmed by the excitement expressed from the Savannah community," says Pelfrey. "We are proud to open this new location and encourage everyone to join us in our grand opening celebrations."

To celebrate the new opening, Kroger will present Susan G. Komen for the Cure Coastal Georgia with a check for more than $63,500. $20,000 was raised during the annual "Giving Hope and Hand" event, and the remaining funds were donated by Kroger customers through donations at checkout.